Earth working machines



y 1952 K. ROSETZ 3,047,122

EARTH WORKING MACHINES Filed Feb. 16, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 31,1962 K. ROSETZ 3,047,122

' EARTH WORKING MACHINES Filed Feb. 16, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVEN 70R July 31, 1962 K. ROSETZ EARTH WORKING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet3 Filed Feb. 16, 1960 INVENTOR United Patent ihse 3,047,122 EARTHWGRKENG MACIWES Kurt Rosetz, Ariadnestrasse 15, Berlin- Frohnau, GermanyFiled Feb. 16, 19%, Ser. No. 9,112

12 Claims. {CL 198-7) 7 The present invention concerns earth workingmachines for tillage and soil cultivation, for shifting earth andloading operations.

The invention particularly concerns such a machine having its owntravelling gear, wherein the working member consists of a wheel rimswingably supported and adapted to rotate horizontally, the wheel beinginclined obliquely towards the front and freely engaging the workingmedium and fitted with interchangeable cutting or digging tools.

Such machines are known in the art. Thus, there are machines havingrotating, solid toothed disc cutters and conveyors and revolving closelyabove these revolving drum conveyors or the like, which on their fullworking surface are provided with cutting teeth or fiutings, with ledgesor chisels, or similar cutting tools. Such machines, however, forsatisfactory shifting and loading operations, have to be fitted withadditional rigid scraping members, revolving scraping belts or drums,rotating shovels, driving chains or the like. These additional scrapingmembers form a kinematic, dynamic and economically increased load andare often the cause of operational breakdowns.

Loading machines are known moreover which have their own travellinggear, wherein a single horizontally rotating spoked wheel is provided inan inclined position on a pivotally mounted frame to act as a workingmember, below the wheel rim of which is arranged an annular disc fixedby means of studs, and between the rim and disc are fixed a number ofadjustable and interchangeable blades or similar digging tools, in sucha manner that, when op erating the front working region, the blades orthe like and the annular disc freely engage the working medium in aforwardly inclined position and in the rear region of the wheel rimperiphery the tools and the annular disc rotate freely in order in thisway to allow the working medium to slide and drop on to a conveyor beltsituated therebelow.

Machines constructed in such a manner however exhibit great technicaldrawbacks. Thus, for example, during operation the material loaded bymeans of the cutting and diggingtools is received only by the annulardisc rotatably engaged at the wheel rim periphery by means of studs. Theworking capacity is thus limited merely to this annular disc. A furthergreat drawback in such machines resides in the fact that the workingmaterial has to be carried in a non-positive manner by the rotatingannular disc by means of its gravity and its adhesion up to the rearregion of the wheel rim periphery, where exclusively by gravity actionit slides and drops off the rotating annular disc. The conditions for asatisfactory slipping caused by the weight of the working material,however, in case of a variety of working materials, depends upon so manymechanical and weather conditioned factors, that a satisfactoryoperation, particularly in the case of viscous and caked workingmaterial, is diflicult since in these cases the angle of operation ofthe rotating annular disc and of the tools for the purpose of permittingthe material to slide down would have to be so steep that thescooping-up conditions and the scooping-up performances are rendereddoubtful. -A further drawback of such machines .is causedconstructionally by the fact that the size of par- Patented July 31,1952 excavation work particularly with caking working material, there isthe risk of clogging between wheel rim and annular disc and between theblades and studs. By means of such machines operating non-positively itis not possible or only to a limited extent possible to carry outagricultural work, ploughing, uprooting, digging and excavat ing work,particularly since the cutting and digging tools are mounted in spacedrelationship to one another only be tween the rotating annular disc andthe wheel rim, thus causing them to operate intermittently and only fromground level and towards the front.

All these drawbacks are removed by the machine in accordance with theinvention which operates positively by the fact that as the cuttingmember there is provided a disc cutter pivotally mounted and rotatinghorizontallyin a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, or two'oppositely acting horizontally rotating disc cutters which are fitted ontheir fiat wheel rims and on their spoke arms with interchangeablecutting or excavating tools. Preferably the tools are constituted byteeth on the wheel rims or on the wheel rim periphery, and by cuttingedges, chisels or the like on the spoke arms.

from the wheel rim periphery to approximately the centre of the disccutter over the width of the disc cutter or cutters, a rigid receivingplate is provided, from which, during operation, the accrueing materialbrought in by the tools and collected by the rigid receiving plate iscontinuously engaged in the direction of rotation and helically raisedand in a positive manner pushed by the spoke arms and scraped positivelyoff the rigid receiving plate, while in the rear region of the disccutters the toothed rims and spoke arms revolve freely.

The machine in accordance with the invention thus has the advantage thatwhen constructed with a single pivotal disc cutter, it can be operatedin a clockwise and an anti-clockwise direction, and that whenconstructed to have two pivotal disc cutters, they operate in oppositedirections.

A further advantage arises from the fact that not only the fiat rims ofthe cutters with their toothed rims acting as cutting tool engage thematerial from the ground or proximity of the ground surface onwards, butalso that the tools on the spoke arms, in the case of cultivated soil orthe like, participate at the cutting face and when the disc cutters aredriven below the latter (FIG. 1 shown in dotted lines) participate alsoat the back in bringing however is the fact that the material accrueingduring operation on the rigid receiving plate is continuously engaged inthe direction of rotation in a positive manner by pushing, and iscarried up therewith and in the rear region directly past the centre ofthe dis cutter, i.e. on 1 passing the rigid receiving plate, is scrapedofi in a posi- I tive manner and caused to drop down. Operation in thismanner is independent of any mechanical or climatic con- 3 ditions andthe kind of material involved, thus permitting even viscous and cakedmaterial to be conveyed without difliculty.

The disc cutter may be retained at an advantageous angel of inclinationdue to the fact that the spoke arms convey the material carried by therigid receiving plate away positively in the direction of rotation,pushing it helically in constant flow.

Arranged closely below the disc cutters in the front working region, andextending sesame Bafileplates advantageously form the limitation of theworking face towards the sides.

A technical and ecconomical advantage moreover arises from'the .flatconstructioin of the wheel rims and the continuouslytoothedrimsconnected therewith in-that the inclined disc, annular disc or the likewith the whole inclined surface part put in operation, he. with a widecutting-edge,- engagesthe medium'being worked only with the thicknessofthe continuous teeth of the wheel rims. This -measure resultsin the feedpressure, in the case of the relatively thin cuttingedge of the toothedrims, being decidedly lower than that of known machines. Moreover, sincethe material being worked is undercut by 'means of :theicontinuousteeth'of the rims, the ma terial is more readily and'more'intensivelydetached from its bond or is being more favourable for the rim to beinserted beneath the won minerals and for it to be be charged -in.abetter fashion-on to the rigid receiving plate.

In accordance with'features of the invention a further advantage'isgained by the fact that beneath the-disc cutter 'or cutters and therigid'receiving plate a conveying -menrber-is arranged, for example, 'asteel'plate, a rubber,

scraper belt orthe like to convey the scraped oif medium.

A further advantage of'the'machine constructed in accordance with theinvention is that the disc cutter or cutters and'the receiving plate areadapted to be pivoted in height in a vertical direction about a pivot inthe chassis frame.

It is also an advantageous feature that the chassis frame with'its disccutters and the rigid receiving plate is adapted to be adjusted inheight in a vertical direction using its travelling wheel acting aspivot.

I ample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in

A further advantage, preferably when carrymg out excavation and soilcultivation is obtained by the fact that known disc 'harrow wheels maybe mounted if necessary on the axle -of the travelling" wheels forsubsequent soil cultivation or the travelling wheels being constitutedby disc harrow wheels.

A further progressive and advantageous feature of the machine inaccordance with the invention is that'during operation the chassis framewith the assistance of known jogging members, such as, for example,springs, spring bolts, unbalances, eccentrics or the like, is set' intoa jogging'motion by the drive.

A further advantage in the machine according to the invention is thatthe drive of the disc cutters is efiected by means of separate internalcombustion engines or electric motors by- Way of a self-drive as also bymeans or i an articulated shaft in known manner by separate drivefrom'the power take-oflf shaft of a tractor or the like connected-intandem or at the side. 7

The machine in accordance with the invention includes a furtheradvantageous feature preferably when shifting earth or carrying outexcavation and loading work in that the chassis frame with the swingabledisc cutters and the rigid receiving plate are mounted on a jib alsosupporting the conveying 'member over its whole length, which jib isadapted to-be swung vertically adjustable in height inknown manner abouta pivot of a separate travelling gear of a known kind havinglow-pressure tyres ora caterpillar track, travelling on rails orthelike.

. advantageinthe last embodiment is that in known manner behind theconveying member a loading .belt adapted to. beswung in all directionsis arranged.

The machine v in accordance with the invention due to itsdesignhenceensures-great progressive and economical advantages in comparisonto hitherto known machines by way oftechnically simple means and machineelements'by the. fact that it permits field, soil cultivation,levelling, digging, excavation work to be carried out in any type ofsoil and in any-climatic conditions and at the same time loading to'becarried out from sandy to course material in positive operation and inconstant flow.

The invention will be described further, by way of exwhich:

FIG. 1 an elevation of themachine in accordance with FIG. 4 illustrates.the vertical-swinging posibilities o p the machine.

A disc cutter indicated generally by Fr consists of 1a fiat wheel rim=1, spoke arms 2, --a hub sleeve 3 and adrivi-ng shaft 4. Mounted on theWheel rim 1 and the spoke 2 according to requirement are interchangeablecutting or! I digging tools, for example, teeth 5 and cuttinge'dges 16.Closely fitting below the disc cutter Fr in the front, working, regionof the wheel rim periphery up to approximately the centre of the disccutter is arranged a rigid receiving plate 7. The lower'rnounting8 ofthe driving shaft 4 of the disc cutter Fr is situated at the upper partof plate 7, while the upper mountingis efiected in the pivotally mountedpedestal bearing structure 9. By means of eye bearings 10 of side walls11 of the receiving plate 7 the aforesaid machine elements are adaptedto be swung vertically and adjustably in height about the pivot 12, asit is evident from the arrows shown in FIGS. 1 "and 4. The pivot 12 isaccommodated in thechassis frame R and also forms a pivot for theendless revolving conveyor belt guides 13 are provided with whichrollers 14 of the pivotal pedestal bearing construction 9 are in rollingengagement when the machine elements are swung. about the pivot 12, asshown in FIG. 4'. FIG. 4 moreover shows the horizontal swing by means ofa hand crank with paw1.'15, on either side there being provided a smalland a large gear or worm and worm gear 16, 17 the small gears or'worms16 being rigidly mounted on the chassis frame/R and the large gears orworm gears 17 being mounted rigidly on the side walls .11 of thereceiving plate 7. Also rigidly connected with the side walls 11 oneither side are limiting and guide plates 18. which participateiu theswinging movements. The drive for executing clockwise and anticlockwiserotary movements of the disc cutter Fr may be eflected in two differentways. drive, power is transmitted from an internal combustion engine orelectric motor M mounted on the chassis .firame R via the gear box 19,,the bevel gear pair 20, 21, the

articulated shaft 22, the small bevel gear 23 to the large I bevel gear24, which is spliried to the drive shaft 4 of the Driving shaft 4 andhub bush} are also,

dern then power is transmitted by means of thearticulated' shaft 27 viathe small bevel .gear 28 to the large bevel gear 24. The articulatedshaft 22 may be dismantled when jogging movements are not required, Thesmallbevel gear 23 then idles. The small bevel gear 28 is mounted in thepedestal bearing 290i the pivotal pedestal bearing construction 9. Inorder to obtain a constant jogging movement of the chassis frame Rduring opera-. tion, and thereby cause rthe material G to become readilydetached and to drop, especially when it is caked'or in coarse pieces,there is formed inknown manner, on either side, a resilient connectionby means of spring bolts .33'

between bearing stands 30 of. axle 31 of wheels 32 and the chassis frame.Rf #Bars 34 are journalled 'at one end to bolts 35 of the chassis frameR and hingedly connected at the other end 3'6.to small V-pulleys37,which in In the case of individual I are mounted on the axle 31. Theconnections at 36 are radially spaced from the axes of the pulleys 37,so that, during rotation of pulleys 37, a jogging motion is imparted toframe R. The drive for the jogging movements is transmitted from theinternal combustion engine or electric motor M via the gear box 19, thelarge V-pulleys 38, the pulley 39 to the small V-pulleys 37. In the caseof a separate drive from a power take-oli shaft of a tractor connectedin tandem, the power transmission for the jogging movements has to beefiected at the rear from the large bevel gear 24 via the small bevelgear 23, the articulated shaft 22, the bevel gear pair 21, 28, the gearbox 19 to the large V-pulleys 37.

The points of engagement of force for advancing the machine areindicated in FIGS. 1 to 4 by means of directional arrows designated byP.

If the material G conveyed by the disc cutter Pr and displaced therebyto the rear portion of the machine or dropped due to gravity, is to beconveyed further back, then below the disc cutter Fr and the receivingplate 7 a conveying member B is provided. This member B may comprise,for example, an endless apron conveyor, rubber, scraper belt or thelike. Constructionally it is also possible for a screw conveyor, apneumatic extraction pipe or the like to carry out this work. Aspreviously stated the pivot 12 mounted in the chassis frame R forms thepivot for the reversing roller 4% of the conveying member B, while thedelivery roller 41 is disposed at the other end of the run of the belt.The delivery roller 4-1 conveniently forms the drive being constitutedas a belt drum motor. The conveying member B is supported by means ofsupporting bands 42, which are suspended on corresponding fixing eyelets43 of the chassis frame R. Adjustment of bands 42 renders it possible toswing the conveying member B vertically about the pivot 12.

If during agricultural work, for example, when ploughing, or cultivatingthe soil, when the material G from the receiving plate 7 drops straighton to the ground, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 in full lines, and is to besubsequently treated, then the disc cutters 32 may be substituted byknown disc harrow wheels 44 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4 and discharrow wheels 44 may also be mounted on the axles 33.. FIG. 4 shows howthe horizontal swinging of the chassis frame R about its travellingwheels 32 or the disc harrow wheels 44 can be effected when the machinein accordance with the invention is towed by the towing gear 45 of atractor connected in tandem. (Shown in dotted lines.) On the implementcarrier 45 is mounted a worm 46 adapted to be actuated by means of ahand crank 47, while the worm gear segment 48 co-operating with the worm46 is mounted on the chassis frame R. When the hand crank is rotated thechassis frame R is caused to execute the swinging movements illustratedby the arrows in FIG. 4.

If the machine is to be used exclusively for earth shifting and loadingwork, then it is expedient to fit the machine With its own travellinggear 49, which in known manner is fitted with low-pressure tyres orcaterpillar track or adapted to run on rails or on an advance spar.

Shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment with shortcaterpillar tracks 56 and the steering wheel 51. The travelling gearmotor M is mounted on the chassis frame R. On a jib 53, adapted to bevertically swung about the pivot 52, and extending over the entirelength thereof is the conveying member B, while on the front end ismounted the previously described earth working machine. The swingingpossibilities of this arrangement are indicated by the associated arrowsin FIG. 1. The swinging movements are carried out in known manner,expediently by oil operated hydraulic cylinders 54. At the delivery endof the conveying member B there is arranged in known manner a loadingbelt V adapted to be swung in all directions which ensures continuousloadmg.

Various modifications may be made in the structural details of a machinein accordance with the invention.

Thus, for example, the mounting of the disc cutter or cutters Fr may beeffected exclusively in the receiving plate '7 and the drive too may beeliected exclusively from below. in this case, when there is a separatedrive, the articulated shaft 27 has also to be connected.

If two disc cutters Fr are put in operation adjacent to one another theyare caused to operate in opposite direc tions and the material G is thusdeposited on the conveying member B which now revolves in the centrebetween the two cutters.

The method of operation of the machine in accordance with the inventionis as follows:

When the machine has been brought up to the site, the disc cutter orcutters Fr is swung into the appropriate operating position inaccordance with the work to be carried out. Due to the advancingpressure P the cutting or digging tools 5, 6 of the plate-shaped wheelrims 1 and spoke arms 2 are pressed against the material G and, forexample, with cultivated soil, they cut, and with heaped material theylift the section of the material engaged, thus causing the latter todrop on the rigid receiving plate 7. Partly by means of the cutting ordigging tools 5, but mainly by the spoke arms 2 and the tools a thereofthis portion of the material is positively carried along and upward inaccordance with the given direction of rotation of the disc cutters Frto the extent to which such material is supported by the receiving plate7, i.e. up to and immediately past the centres of the disc cutters Fr.Since at this point the receiving plate 7 ends, the material G due toweight will drop down, an operation which is also assisted by the thrustof the following spoke arm 2. This material is then deposited either onthe ground or on the conveying member B. During this operation thecutting or digging tools 5, 6, or the next spoke arm 2 and thecorresponding segments or the wheel rims 1 with their tool scoop or cutout further portions of the material G such material again dropping onto the receiving plate 7 and the previously described cycle is repeated.In this way there is ensured a continuous working process.

A jogging movement has been provided in order, as previously mentioned,to obtain an improved detachment of the material G being conveyed fromthe spoke arms 2', the wheel rims 1, the cutting and digging tools 5, 6thereof and the hub sleeve 3, particularly in the case of coarse orcaking material. The optimum rate of jogging is dependent upon thenature of the material G being worked and may be varied by mountingdifierent sized pulleys 38.

In order to obtain a good free machine space while enabling the lateraltravel movements to be kept as small as possible, in a constructionhaving a single disc cutter F;- the latter is adapted to be inserted tooperate in a clockwise and an anti-clockwise direction.

I claim:

1. In a machine for working and removing soil or similar material, incombination, support means; rotary tool means mounted on said supportmeans turnable about an axis inclined to a horizontal plane for engagingmaterial located forwardly of and above said rotary tool means and fortransporting the engaged material in a rotary motion in rearwarddirection, said rotary tool means being formed in a plane substantiallynormal to said axis with openings therethrough so that material engagedand transported by said rotary tool means may fall through saidopenings; and a receiving plate mounted on said support means stationarywith respect to said axis and extending in a plane substantially normalthereto beneath and closely adjacent to said rotary tool means, saidreceiving plate extending forwardly of said axis to underlie theopenings located at any instant forwardly of said axis while leaving atleast one of said openings located at any instant rearwardly of saidaxis uncovered, all portions of said rotary tool means located at anyinstant forwardly of said axis being located substantially within thearea of said plate.

2. In a machine for working and removing soil 'or similar material, incombination, support means; rotary tool means mountedton said supportmeans turnable about an inclined to a horizontal plane for engagingmaterial located forwardly of and above said rotary tool means and fortransporting the engaged material in a rotary motion in rearwarddirection, said rotary tool means being formed in a plane substantiallynormal to said axis with openings therethrough so that material eugagedand transported'by said rotary tool means may fall through saidopenings; and a receiving plate mounted on said support means stationarywith respect to said axis and extending in a plane substantially normalthereto beneath and closely adjacent to said rotary tool means, saidreceiving plate extending forwardly of said axis to underlie theopenings located at any instant forwardly of said axis while leaving atleast one of said openings located at any instant rearwardly of saidaxis uncovered, said plate having a front edge portion substantiallyconcentric and substantially coinciding with the portion of the outerperiphery of said rotary tool means which is at any instant locatedforwardly of said axis.

3. In a machine for working and removing soil or similar material, incombination, support means; rotary tool means mounted on-said supportmeans turnable about an ,axis inclined to a horizontal plane forengaging material located forwardly of said rotary tool means and fortransporting the engaged material in a rotary motion in rearwarddirection, said rotary tool means including an outer annular rim portionhaving a top and a bottom face and an axis coinciding with said axis, apiuraiity of spoke plates extending in radial direction spaced from eachother from said rim portion toward said axis and having each an outeredge extending inclined to said 7, axis from said-rim portion towardsaid axis and a bottom edge located substantially in the plane of saidbottom face of said rim portion, and cutting means arranged on said topface ofsaid rim portion and on said outer edges of said spoke plates sothat material engaged and transported by said rotary tool means may fallthrough the open spaces between said rim portion and'said spoke P1ates;and ajreceiving plate mounted on said support means 'stationary withrespect to said axis and substantially normal thereto beneath andclosely adjacent to said rotary tool means with the upper surface ofsaid plate in sliding contact'with :the bottom face of said rim portionand with the bottom ,edgesof said spoke platen, said receiving'plateextendingforwardly of said axis to underlie the ;open' spaces locatedatany instant forwardly of said .axis While leaving at least one of saidopen spaces located at any instant rearwardly of said axis uncovered,said plate having a. front edge portion substantially con centric andsubstantially coinciding .with a portion ofthe outer periphery of saidportion located at any instant forwardly of said axis. a

4. In a machine for working 'and' removing soil or similar material, incombination, support :means; rotary tool means arranged turnable aboutan axis 'inclined to a'ho-rizontal plane for engaging material locatedforwardly of said rotary tool means and for transporting the engagedmaterial in a rotary motion in rearward direction, said rotary toolmeans including shaft means having an axis coinciding with said axis, anannular rim portion concentric with said shaft means and having a topand a bottom face, a plurality of spoke plates extending spacedfrom-each other in radial direction from said rim portion to said shaftmeans and'being each connected at an inner edgeportion thereof to saidshaft means and having each an outer edge extending inclined to saidaxis from said rim-portion toward said axis and a bottom edge locatedsubstantially in the plane of-saidbottom face of said rim portion, andcutting means arranged on said topface of said rim portion and on saidouter edges of said spoke plates so that material engaged andtransported by said rotary tool means may fall throughthe open spacesbetween saidrirmportion and said spoke plates; a'receiving-plate mountedon said support means stationarywith respect to 'said axis andsubstantially normal thereto beneathandclosely adjacent to said rotarytool means with the upper surfaceof said plate in sliding contact withthe bottom face of said rim portion and'with the bottom edges of saidspokeplates, said receiving plate extending fon' wardly of said axis tounderlie the open spaces located at any instant forwardly of said axiswhile leaving at leastoneof saidopen spaces located'at'any-instantrear-- wardly of said axis uncovered, said plate having aifront edgeportion substantially concentric and substantially coinciding with aportion of the outer periphery of said rim portionlocatedatany instantforwardly of saidaxis;

and bearing means in said plate for turnably receiving and supportingthe lower end of said shaft means.

5. in a machine for working and removing soil or similar material, incombination, support means; rotary tool means arranged, turnable aboutan axis inclined to a horizontal plane forengaging material locatedforwardly of said rotary tool means and for transporting the engagedmaterial in a rotary motion in rearward direction, said rotary toolmeans including shaft means having an an inner edge portion thereof tosaid shaft means and having each an outer edge extending inclined tosaid axis from said rim portion toward said axis and a bottom edgelocated substantially in the plane of said bottom face of saidrirnportiomand cutting means arranged onsaid top face of said rimportion and on said outer edges of said spoke plates so that materialengaged and transported by said rotary tool means may .fall through theopen spaces between said rirnportion and said spoke plates; a receivingplate mounted on said support means stationary with respect to said axisandsubstantially normal thereto beneath and closely adjacent to saidrotary tool means with the upper surface of said plate in slidingcontact with the bottom face of said rim portion and with the bottomedges of said spoke plates and .pivotable about a second axis extendingtransverse to said first mentioned axis, said receivmgplate extendingforwardlyiof said axistto under-V turnably receiving and supporting thelower end of said shaft means; and means operatively connected to saidsupport means and said receiving plate for pivotingsaid plate andtherewith said rotary tool means about said secondiaxis. 6. In a machinefor working and removing soil or simil material, in combination, supportmeans; rotary tool. means arranged turnable about an axis inclined to ahorizontal plane for engaging material located forwardly of said roetary tool means and for transporting the engaged material in a rotarymotion in rearward direction, saidrotary tool means includmg shaft meanshaving an axis coinciding.

with said axis, an annular rim portion concentric with said shaft meansand having a top and a bottom face, a plurality of spoke platesextending spaced from-each other in a radial direction from said rimportion to said shaft means and being each connected at an inner edgeportion thereof to said shaft means. andhaving each an outer edge 7extending inclined to said axis from said rim portion toward said axisand a bottom edge located substantially in a plane of said bottomfaceofsaid rim portion, and cutting means arranged on said top face of saidrim portion and on said outer edges of said spoke plates so thatmaterial engaged and transported by said rotary tool means may fallthrough the open spaces between said rim portion and said spoke plates;a receiving plate mounted on said support means stationary with respectto said axis and substantially normal thereto beneath and closelyadjacent to said rotary tool means with the upper surface of said platein sliding contact with the bottom face of said rim portion and with thebottom edges of said spoke plates and pivotable about a second axisextending transverse to said first mentioned axis, said receiving plateextending forwardly of said axis to underlie the open spaces located atany instant forwardly of said axis while leaving at least one of saidopen spaces located at any instant rearwardly of said axis uncovered,said plate having a front edge portion substantially concentric andsubstantially coinciding with a portion of the outer periphery of saidrim portion located at any instant forwardly of said axis; bearing meansin said plate for turnably receiving and supporting the lower end ofsaid shaft means; means operatively connected to said support means andsaid receiving plate for pivoting said plate and therewith said rotarytool means about said second axis; and means operatively connected tosaid support means and said plate for oscillating said plate and saidtool means substantially in direction of said first axis.

7. In a machine for working and removing soil or similar material, incombination, support means; rotary tool means mounted on said supportmeans turnable about an axis inclined to a horizontal plane for engagingmaterial located forwardly of and above said rotary tool means and fortransporting the engaged material in a rotary motion in rearwarddirection, said rotary tool means being formed in a plane substantiallynormal to said .axis with openings therethrough so that material engagedand transported by said rotary tool means may fall through saidopenings; a receiving plate mounted on said support means stationarywith respect to said axis and extending in a plane substantially normalthereto beneath and closely adjacent to said rotary tool means, saidreceiving plate extending forwardly of said axis to underlie theopenings located at any instant forwardly of said axis While leaving atleast one of said openings located at any instant rearwardly of saidaxis uncovered, all portions of said rotary tool means located at anyinstant forwardly of said axis being located substantially within thearea of said plate; and elongated transporting means having a surfaceportion located beneath said one opening so that material engaged bysaid rotary tool means and transported by the same to said one openingwill fall through said opening onto said elongated transporting means tobe transported thereby away from said rotary tool means.

8. In a machine for working and removing soil or similar material, incombination, rotary tool means arranged turnable about an axis inclinedto a horizontal plane for engaging material located forwardly of saidrotary tool means and for transporting the engaged material in a rotarymotion in a rearward direction, said rotary tool means being formed in aplane substantially normal to said axis with openings therethrough sothat material engaged and transported by said rotary tool means may fallthrough said openings; a receiving plate arranged stationary withrespect to said axis and substantially normal thereto arranged beneathand closely adjacent to said rotary tool means in sliding contact with abottom surface of the latter, said receiving plate extending forwardlyof said axis to underlie the openings located at any instant forwardlyof said axis while leaving at least one of said openings located at anyinstant rearwardly of said axis uncovered, all portions of said rotarytool means located at any instant forwardly of said axis being locatedsubstantially within the area of said plate; bearing means in said platefor supporting said rotary tool means turnable about said axis; framemeans supporting said plate tiltable about a second axis extendingtransverse to said first mentioned am's, said frame means having a rear1% portion located rearwardly of said second axis; and support meanssupporting said frame means in the region of said rear portion tiltableabout a third axis substantially parallel to said second axis.

9. In a machine for working and removing soil or similar material, incombination, rotary tool means arranged turnable about an axis inclinedto a horizontal plane for engaging material located forwardly of saidrotary tool means and for transporting the engaged material in a rotarymotion in a rearward direction, said rotary tool means being formed in aplane substantially normal to said axis with openings therethrough sothat material e11- gaged and transported by said rotary tool means mayfall through said openings; a receiving plate arranged stationary withrespect to said axis and substantially normal thereto arranged beneathand closely adjacent to said rotary tool means in sliding contact with abottom surface of the latter, said receiving plate extending forwardlyof said axis to underlie the openings located at any instant forwardlyof said axis while leaving at least oneof said openings located at anyinstant rearwardly of said axis uncovered, all portions of said rotarytool means located at any instant forwardly of said axis being locatedsubstantially within the area of said plate; bearing means in said platefor supporting said rotary tool means turnable about said axis; framemeans supporting said plate tiltable about a second axis extendingtransverse to said first mentioned axis, said frame means having a rearportion located rearwardly of said second axis; first adjusting meansoperatively connected to said plate and said frame means for tiltingsaid plate about said second axis; support means supporting said framemeans in the region of said rear portion tiltable about a third axissubstantially parallel to said second axis; and second adjusting meansoperatively connected to said frame means and to said support means fortilting said frame means about said third axis.

10. In a machine for working and removing soil or similar material, incombination, rotary tool means arranged turnable about an axis inclinedto a horizontal plane for engaging material located forwardly of saidrotary tool means and for transporting the engaged mat rial in a rotarymotion in a rearward direction, said rotary tool means being formed in aplane substantially normal to said axis with openings therethrough sothat material engaged and transported by said rotary tool means may fallthrough said openings; a receiving plate arranged stationary withrespect to said axis and substantially normal thereto arranged beneathand closely adjacent to said rotary tool means in sliding contact with abottom surface of the latter, said receiving plate extending forwardlyof said axis to underlie the openings located at any instant forwardlyof said axis while leaving at least one of said openings located at anyinstant rearwardly of said axis uncovered, all portions of said rotarytool means located at any instant forwardly of said axis being locatedsubstantially within the area of said plate; bearing means in said platefor supporting said rotary tool means turnable about said axis; framemeans supporting said plate tiltable about a second axis extendingtransverse to said first mentioned axis, said frame means having a rearportion located rearwardly of said second axis; first adjusting meansoperatively connected to said plate and said frame means for tiltingsaid plate about said second axis; support means supporting said framemeans in the region of said rear portion tiltable about a third axissubstantially parallel to said second axis; second adjusting meansoperatively connected to said frame means and to said support means fortilting said frame means about said third axis; and elongatedtransporting means including an endless transporting band having anupper run located beneath said one opening so that material egaged bysaid rotary tool means and transported thereby to said one opening willfall through said opening onto said upper run to be transported therebyaway from rotary tool means, said elongated transporting means includingfurther a front guide roller having an axis coinciding with said secondaxis and a rear guide roller having an axis substantially parallel toandspaced from said second axis, said endless transporting band beingwound about said rollers, and means for adjusting the elevation of saidsecond guide roller.

11. In a machine for working and removing soil or similar material, incombination, rotary tool means a ranged turnable about an axis inclinedto a horizontal plane for engaging material located forwardly of saidrotary tool means and -for transporting the engaged material in arotarymotion in a rearward direction, said rotary tool means being formed in aplane substantially normal to said axis with openings therethrough sothat material engaged and transported by said rotary tool means may fallthrough said openings; a receiving plate arranged stationary withrespect to said axis and substantially normal thereto arranged beneathand closely adjacent to said rotary tool means in sliding contact with abottom surface of the latter, said receiving plate extending forwardlyof said axis to underlie the openings located at any instant forwardlyof said axis while leaving at least one of said openings located at anyinstant rearwardly of said axis uncovered, all portions of said rotarytool means located at any instant forwardly of said axis being locatedsubstantially within the area of said .plate; bearing means in saidplate for supporting said rotary tool means turnable about said axis;frame means supporting said plate tilta-ble about a second axisextending transverse to said first mentioned axis, said frame meanshaving a rear portion located rearwardly of said second axis; drivemeans for driving said rotary tool means mounted on said frame means;

transmission means including universal joint shaft means fortransmitting the drive from said drive means to said rotary tool means;and support means supporting said frame means in the region of said rearportion tiltable about a third axis substantially parallel to saidsecond axis.

12. In a machine for working and removing soil or similar material, incombination, support means, rotary tool ineansmounted on said supportmeans turnable about an axis inclined to a horizontal plane tor-engagingmaterial tially normal to said axis, and'cutting means projecting inupward direction from said last mentioned plane, said rotary tool meansbeing formed inwardly of said rim por- I tion with a plurality ofopenings therethrough so that material engaged and transported bysaid'tool means may fall through said openings; and a receiving platemounted on said support means stationary with respectto said axis andextending in a plane substantially normal thereto beneath and closelyadjacent to said rotary tool means with the upper surface of said platein sliding arrangement with said-bottom face of said rim portion,said'receiving plate extending forwardlyof said axis to underlie theopenings located at any instant forwardly of said axis while leaving atleast one of said openings located at'any instant rearwardly of saidaxis uncovered, [all portions of said rotary tool means located at anyinstant forwardly of said axis being located substantially within thearea of said plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS GreatBritain Sept. '14, 1955

